This article describes mifepristone oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for mifepristone.
Depending on the strength, mifepristone oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Korlym or Mifeprex. Mifepristone is only available as an oral tablet. If you want to know more about mifepristone oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Boxed warning
Depending on which oral tablet you’re taking and the reason you’re taking it, mifepristone has a boxed warning for the risk of serious and possibly fatal infections and bleeding or for termination of pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
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Form and strengths of mifepristone
Mifepristone oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: a tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 200 milligrams (mg), 300 mg
Dosage of mifepristone
This article describes the recommended dosages for mifepristone oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of mifepristone oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of mifepristone in adults
Managing high blood sugar in certain adults with Cushing syndrome
The usual dosage for managing high blood sugar in certain adults with Cushing syndrome is listed below. Generally, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of mifepristone oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of mifepristone oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
- Dose: 300 mg
- Frequency: once per day
- Maximum dosage: 1,200 mg once per day
Ending a pregnancy
The dosage of mifepristone for medical termination of a pregnancy up to 70 days of gestation is listed below.
- Dose: 200 mg
- Frequency: one time
Mifepristone is prescribed together with misoprostol to end a pregnancy. A 200-mg mifepristone tablet is taken once. Then, 24–48 hours after taking mifepristone, a misoprostol 800-microgram (mcg) buccal tablet is placed inside the cheek and left to dissolve. (“Buccal” relates to the insides of a person’s cheeks.)
Dosage adjustments for mifepristone
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of mifepristone oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- other medications you’re taking
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of mifepristone
If you take mifepristone oral tablet daily, talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of mifepristone oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about mifepristone oral tablet and its dosage.
How does the dosage of mifepristone compare with the dosage of misoprostol?
Mifepristone and misoprostol are prescribed for different reasons. But both are used for medical termination of a pregnancy. If your doctor prescribes mifepristone for this use, they’ll prescribe 200 mg one time. This is followed 24–48 hours later with a misoprostol 800-mcg buccally (the tablet is stored in the cheek until it dissolves).
If your doctor prescribes misoprostol, you take two to three doses of misoprostol several hours apart. The strength of the dose varies depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether you have other medical conditions. Misoprostol may be taken in several different ways, including buccally (in your cheek), under the tongue, and vaginally.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment option for you and how you should take it.
Is mifepristone taken long term?
How long you take mifepristone depends on why your doctor is prescribing it.
If it’s for managing high blood sugar in certain adults with Cushing syndrome, then doctors typically prescribe mifepristone oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If it’s for ending a pregnancy, doctors do not prescribe mifepristone oral tablet as a long-term treatment. It’s taken as a single dose one time. So it’s for short-term use only.
If you have questions about how long you should take mifepristone oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How mifepristone is taken
You’ll swallow mifepristone oral tablet either one time or once per day, depending on why you’re taking it.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Mifepristone coupon
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Get free cardOverdose of mifepristone
It’s important that you do not take more mifepristone oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
What to do if you take too much mifepristone
If you think you’ve taken too much mifepristone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for mifepristone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of mifepristone oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take mifepristone oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will it take for my dosage of mifepristone to start working?
- Will my dosage of mifepristone need to be adjusted if I take other medications?
- What will need to be monitored after I start mifepristone?
Boxed warning for mifepristone
The boxed warning for mifepristone depends on which oral tablet you’re taking and the reason you’re taking it. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Serious and possibly fatal infections and bleeding: Mifepristone 200-mg oral tablet has a boxed warning for the risk of serious and possibly fatal infections and bleeding. Serious and possibly fatal infections and bleeding can happen after termination of pregnancy. Seek medical attention if you experience fever, severe abdominal pain, prolonged heavy bleeding, or fainting. Talk with your doctor if you have abdominal pain or general discomfort for more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol.
Termination of pregnancy: Mifepristone 300-mg oral tablet has a boxed warning for pregnancy termination. Mifepristone will result in the termination of pregnancy. Pregnancy should be ruled out before you start treatment unless a doctor has prescribed mifepristone to end a pregnancy. Pregnancy should also be ruled out if you have not taken mifepristone for more than 14 days.
To learn more about either of these warnings, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.